Fifty years ago in May, I was a student at then-Anderson College. Adjacent to campus a magnificent new church building had been erected, and the congregation of Park Place Church of God was preparing to move from its old structure three blocks away.
Newspaper accounts billed it as the largest church in the city, seating 1,300 and costing $1.7 million to build at 1959 prices.
The congregation was to meet at the old church on May 29, 1960, which then would be deeded to the college. They would then march up the hill to the new building for the initial service at 11 a.m.
When I arrived at the East Eighth Street and College Drive facility, an overflow crowd had jammed the church. I stood at the rear of the balcony for the last service in the old church, then scampered down the fire escape to beat the rush to the new church.
A picture in the Anderson Daily Bulletin the next day showed the procession reaching the new church. Dr. Dale Oldham, senior pastor, carried the pulpit Bible, along with the pastoral staff of Ray Tuttle, David Coolidge and Elbert Jones, followed by members of the congregation. They were singing “Lead On O King Eternal,” started to the tune of the organ at the old church. As we entered the new church, the hymn’s grandeur swelled larger as organist Shirley King (who became Shirley Coolidge a few days later in the new church’s first wedding) performed on the 3,136-pipe Casavant Freres organ in the new sanctuary.
After Dr. Oldham delivered the first sermon in the new building, he announced he had preached without the aid of the public address system in the “live” sanctuary – a feat few besides himself would ever attempt.
Both newspapers announced details of a busy first week at the new church, climaxed by the dedication service one week later with Anderson College President Robert Reardon as speaker.
With half a century passing, the building is no longer new. It has undergone remodeling, added parking, had numerous repairs and added an elevator and handicap accessibility as the congregation’s average age has increased. And it is no longer the biggest church in town. Its cross-topped spire, however, sitting on the highest ground in Anderson, towers over the community now as it did then.
The old church became the college’s music hall for several years before it was destroyed by fire in the mid-to-late 1960s.
One of the highlights of the original celebration was an all-church pitch-in dinner.
Members of the congregation are preparing for a golden anniversary celebration on May 16. It comes as no surprise that a pitch-in dinner will be part of the anniversary observance.
After all, over the history of Christianity, much debate has ensued over what is proper among celebrations. But there’s one thing all Christians love to do: Eat.
Jim Bailey’s reflections on Anderson’s past appear on Sunday. His regular column appears on Wednesday. He can be reached by e-mail at jameshenrybailey@earthlink.net.
Columns
Related Photos
Discussion
Jim Bailey: 50 years on, building not new anymore
- Columns
-
-
Amish Cook: When child is sick, motherly nurturing instinct kicks in
The sun is always welcome at this time of the year. The ground is covered with snow again, and the temperatures are colder. It finally feels like winter.
-
Susan Miller: In business dining, good taste means more than food
A successful business meal requires more than making a lunch date. A deal can sometimes be sealed over the table, but more often than not, a business lunch provides an opportunity to build rapport and learn about your dining companion’s business.
-
Primus Mootry: Black leadership in 21st century — lessons from the past
This is the fourth in a series of articles concerning various facts and opinions about black history, how that history affects black leadership today, and what I think are the implications for black leadership in the future. It’s a much weightier subject than I thought.
-
Jim Bailey: Winter of our discontent depends on our agenda
There’s nothing like a mild winter to bring out the members of our society whose agenda includes the propagation of the fear of global warming.
-
Emmett Dulaney: When Twitter backfires
Twitter, that innocuous social media tool that lets users send out 140 character snippets to their followers, is being used more and more as a marketing tool.
-
John Williams: Valentine tip from Social Security
Valentine’s Day is a popular time of year for proclamations of love. Such displays of affection can be as simple and sweet as a heart with a “be mine” message, or as life altering as a vow before the altar.
-
Scott Underwood: TV section alterations on the way
Two Sundays ago, The Herald Bulletin introduced a new product called Click, replacing the TV Week section. Like TV Week, Click includes TV listings grids, sports listings and Sudoku and crossword puzzles.
-
'Big Joe' Clark: The $100 million IRA - and how to get one
Is it possible to save $100 million? No, but it is possible to invest and end up with that sum of money. Mitt Romney is not alone; there are others with mega IRAs.
-
Analysis: Exceptional voice seemed lost in Houston's excessive fame
Whitney Houston’s numerous comeback attempts never gelled into anything the public cared about.
-
Brian Howey: Automotive factor explains why Obama opens Indiana office
On Thursday, the Obama for America campaign opened up an office in Indiana, a state with a century-old love affair with the internal combustion engine.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Amish Cook: When child is sick, motherly nurturing instinct kicks in
Top Bargainers Announce Payroll Tax Cut Deal
Student Photos 'hijacked', Used on Porn Site
Should U.S. Arm Medevacs in Afghanistan?
Foreclosures Rise Only Slightly, More Expected
Old Friends, New Mission: China VP Visits Iowa
Jeremy Lin a Slam-dunk for Knicks and Fans
Defense Begins in UVA Player Murder Trial
More Than 350 Die in Honduran Prison Fire
Defiant Iran Loads Own Fuel Rods Into Reactor
Raw Video: Syrian Army, Rebels Battle in Homs
Video Essay: Saving the Miami Blue Butterfly
NYPD Officer Shot During Subway Confrontation
Iranian Boats Shadow US Aircraft Carrier in Gulf
Hundreds Rally Against Alabama Immigration Law
Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only
New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom
Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
School Pays Students to Attend Class
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
